SHAH ALAM, Aug 1 — In addition to the traditional method of holding ceramahs and face-to-face meetings, the use of social media platforms is also a favoured ‘weapon’ in the campaign war by candidates in the Selangor State Election.
Putting technology to good use, many candidates have been ‘updating’ the electorate by highlighting their daily activities and programmes.
Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, for one, has been heavily on Facebook, informing the constituents in Gombak Setia, where he is contesting, of his daily activities.
His posts include joining the congregants at Surau Al-Ikhwan for Subuh prayers in Taman Samudera before having breakfast with locals at Restoran Tuu Dok Ko 1488, an eatery in Batu Caves popular for its East Coast dishes.
Megat Zulkarnain also invited constituents to join him at the Jualan Ehsan Rahmah (JER) sales in Pinggiran Batu Caves, where basic necessities are offered at 30 per cent lower than market prices.
Meanwhile, his Perikatan Nasional (PN) opponent in Gombak Setia, Muhammad Hilman Idham, has also been busy online as he shares with netizens his daily activities, one of which was a breakfast meet session at a stall in a neighbouring residential area.
“Just chilling while enjoying coffee and roti canai at Warung Haji Dahlan with the people of Taman Samudera,” he said in a Facebook post.
Gombak Setia, along with Sungai Tua and Hulu Kelang, the other two seats under the Gombak Federal constituency, quite notably have become significant in the race for Selangor, even dubbed the ‘mother’ of all contests in the ongoing state elections.
Megat Zulkarnain must now shoulder the task of wooing the hearts and minds of the 88,480 voters in Gombak Setia to wrest the seat from incumbent Muhammad Hilman, who won the seat in the 14th general election on a PKR ticket before being sacked by the party and joining Bersatu later.
Dusun Tua BN candidate Datuk Johan Abd Aziz has also been keeping himself busy online, sharing pictures of a morning programme with the Indian community after he had completed his Subuh prayers.
“Was invited for a meet and greet session with the Indian community in Taman Sri Nanding. Perpaduan READY!” his post read.
Breakfast social media posts were also a choice for Pakatan Harapan candidate for Bukit Melawati, Thiban Subramaniam, who has been tasked with defending the seat for coalition after its incumbent Juwairiya Zulkifli was sent to Hulu Kelang to face Selangor PN chairman Datuk Seri Muhamed Azmin Ali, in what has been described as another eagerly anticipated ‘hot clash’.
“Breakfast at Pak Ipin’s eatery. Very grateful for the meal. Pak Cik Arifin has really made my day. The roti canai is tasty!,” said Thiban, who is facing PN candidate from Bersatu, Noorazley Yahya.
The state elections will be held on August 12, with early voting on August 8.
Selangor has 56 state constituencies with a total number of 3,747,057 eligible voters.
— Bernama
